World Series of Birding

WORLD SERIES OF BIRDING

Cape May, NJ

May 6, 2017

Each year YMOS sends at least one team into competition at the World Series of Birding in Cape May, NJ. This competition is one of the premier ornithological events in the world and attracts some of the best birders around. Our team participates in the youth competition. The event is actually primarily a major fund raiser for bird conservation and research; so, although competitive, learning and sharing are paramount.

Our teams this year will include:

1) a middle school team, which will stay in the southern area of the state.

2) a Carbon-Free Team, which will do all birding from a bicycle on Cape Island beginning at 5 AM.

3) 2 high school teams, which will bird the whole state of New Jersey, birding Sussex County until 9 AM and then moving south to get the southern birds in the 2nd half of the day.

Each team spends 3 days scouting birds in the area prior to the Big Day. On Saturday each team has 24 hours to identify, by sight and/or sound, as many species as possible. The top adult teams that search the whole State of New Jersey regularly find approx. 200 species on their Big Day. Our youth teams staying more local to Cape May County can exceed 150 species. In 2010 we decided to limit ourselves to Cape May proper (Cape Island) and recorded 133 species, just 20 species less than the top adult team covering that area. The last 2 years, our high school team has achieved the top overall total in the competition with 216 species found in 2015.

All are welcome to apply to be on the teams. In the past we have fielded both middle and high school level teams, and even elementary teams participate. A team must consist of at least 3 members and have an adult driver. Each team will be assigned an adult coach.Prior experience is NOT necessary, just a desire to learn. If interested email George Radcliffe at radclifg@gmail.com.

Team members usually participate in a couple of the YMOS field trips and accompany the group on the 3 Cape May scouting days in May. The group uses a March Birdathon each year to raise money for the 5-day May trip, and costs to each team member are minimal. Parents are always welcome to accompany us.

Schedule of Activities for our teams

Mon, May 1 – Some All-State team members will start scouting the North area of the State.

Weds, May 3, 5 AM – Remainder depart Maryland for New Jersey – We’ll coordinate meeting places when we see where the team members are coming from. We’ll scout northern locations (Atlantic City and south) this day.

Thurs, May 4 – all day – We’ll scout Cape May County this day and begin to plan our Big Day stategy. That evening we’ll attend the Swap Meet with the other teams to share bird sightings. This is as much a cooperative venture as a competitive event.

Fri, May 5 – Scouting Cape Island and ocean areas; plan itinerary, and early to bed.

Sat, May 6 – The Big Day – up to 24 hours to identify by sight or sound as many species as possible. We’ll begin about 1 AM with a search for owls and rails and should conclude by about 9 or 10 PM. There will be a huge meal at the check-in location where we’ll watch the results and meet/share with other teams.

Sun, May 7 – 8:30 AM – Awards Ceremony and Brunch. We’ll leave Cape May after the brunch and be back in Maryland by 3 – 4 PM.